Reset valve and control therefor



July 9, 1946. w A, RAY

RESET VALVE. AND CONTROL THEREFOR Filed Feb. 4, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l July 9, 1946- w. A. RAY

RESET VALVE AND CONTROL THEREFOR Filed Feb. 4, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 2 Y E Ty m TF. w

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w. A. RAY 2,403,611

RESET VALVE AND CONTROL THEREFOR Filed Feb. 4, 1941 4 sheets-sheet s ATTORNEY July 9, 1946. w. A. .RAY

RESET VALVE AND CONTROL THEREFOR Filed Feb. 4, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 4 Fig-13 lvl INVE NTOR l/l//Y//am A. /Pa BY i ATTORNEY Jn -m A IIL Patented July 9, 1946 2,403,611 RESET VALVE AND coN'rnoL 'rHER'EFoR William A. Ray, Glendale, Calif., assignor to General Controls Co., a. corporation Application February 4, 1941, Serial No. 377,274

12 claims. l

This invention relates to a fuel burner system, and particularly to a safety valve control, incorporating a thermocouple and a reset mechanism, for use in controlling the flow of fuel to the system.

Such systems usually include an automatic cutoif valve to ensure against flow of fuel to the burner while the burner is unlighted. A valve of this character may be arranged to be maintained open for example by an electro-magnet energized by a thermocouple in the pilot ame, and hence being open only so long as the pilot burner remains lighted. Thereafter, the main cock may be turned on and 01T as desired, the pilot flame serving to ignite the fuel passing through the main burner whenever the cock is opened.

Valves of this general character are described in applications filed in the name of William A. Ray, on February 19, 1940, Serial No. 3119.735, entitled "Fluid control valve, and on March 20, 1930, Serial No. 324,987, entitled Valve reset mechanism.

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve of this type of compact and simplified construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a reset valve arranged for use in connection with controlling the individual burner units of a multiple unit furnace.

In providing a safety shut off valve, consideration must be given to the electric power that is required to hold the valve in open position. This power is generated thermoelectrically by the aid of a pilot flame. For the function of igniting the main burner, the flame can be quite small, and it is advantageous to be able to generate the requisite electric power without the necessity of any substantial increase in the size of the pilot burner flame. By the aid of the present invention, this advantage is readily obtained; and particularly by the particular structure of the thermoelectric generator. This'generator is simple in structure, utilizing but a single thermocouple. By the arrangement and structure of the thermocouple as taught herein, it is possible to generate a relatively high electromotive force, making it possible to utilize a higher resistance for the coil of the electromagnet for holding the safety valve open, and yet obtain the maximum power from the thermoelectric generator. v

It is another object of this invention therefore, to make it possible to maintain the safety valve open by the aid of thermally generated electric more easily apparent froma consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a few forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specication. 'I'hese forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; butit is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

' In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view, mainly in section, of th'e reset valve, including an improved thermocouple for controlling the valve;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a fragment of Fig; 1 showing another position of the valve;

Fig, 3 is a top plan view of the valve, partly in section, as indicated by the arrows 3-3 in Fig.-1;

Fig. 4 is a section as seen on plane 4--4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a section as seen on plane 5 5 of 'Fig 4:

Fig. 6 is a section as seen on plane 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Figs. l and 8 are detail sections as seen on correspondingly numbered planes of Fig. 1;

Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the valve;

Fig. 11 is a section similar to Fig. 4, but showv`s ing a modif-led form ofvalve;

Fig. l2 is a fragmentary section as seen on plane |2-l2 of Fig. 11; and y Fig. 13 is a showing in diagrammatic form of a system including a multiple unit furnace co trolled by reset valves. f

The valve I is shown as coupled to a conduit 2 larranged to supply. gaseous or liquid fuel to a burner (not shown). The valve structure I is a dual valve, including the main gas cock 3 arranged formanual contro1 and the automatic shut-oil,

valve k4. Fuel under pressure is admitted to the valve structure I by conduit 5.

It is apparent that when the automatic shutoil' valve 4 is closed, as in Fig. 1, no fuel can be delivered through the main' cock 3. The valve 4, however, is so arranged that it may be held in its open position, placing the control of the ow of fuel entirely in the main cock 3.

The valve structure I includes a body I for accommodating the main cock 3, and the automatic valve 4, together with the means for opening the latter. thus providing a simple and compact structure with no exposed moving parts. The main cock 3 comprises a rotatable hollow tapered plug II, seated in a cooperating conical seat I2 formed in body I0. In the position of Fig. 1, the plug Il is in closed position, the discharge opening I3 of the plug being out of alinement with the outlet port I4 in body I3. The inlet to the plug is formed by the axial bore I5, which is open at the bottom of the plug.

The plug II is urged to its seat I2 for substantially fluid tight operation. as by the aid of a compression spring I3. This springLis disposed around a post I 1 connected to and projecting upwardly from the upper end of plug II, the lower end of the spring seating on the bottom I3 of a counterbore I3 formed in the cylindrical boss 3 of body III. The upper end of spring I3 buts a stop plate 20, firmly secured to post I1. Thus, post I1 has its upper end portion 2| of reduced diameter with a square base portion 3 forming a shoulder 22 for the accommodation of plate 23 and threaded for the reception oi' a nut 23. Nut 23 serves to clamp stop plate 23 against the shoulder 22. The force exerted by spring I3 against stop plate 23 is such as to urge plug II firmly to its seat, so that a substantial force is required to rotate the plug from closed to open position, or vice versa, and to seal the plug.

The angular movement of plug II is limited to 90 as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3. Thus, the boss 9 on body I0 has upwardly extending lugs 24 and 25, forming abutments for the oppositely extending arms 23 and 21 on plate 20. The means for rotating plug II will be described later.

Within the body I3 and surrounding the lower end of tapered seat I2, a raised annular valve seat 33 is formed, this seat being concentric with the tapered plug seat I2. A closure structure 3| is provided to cooperate with the raised seat 33. This structure 3| includes a valve closure member 32 adapted to cooperate with the valve seat 33 and made of some suitable yielding material, such as "neoprene" Closure member 32 is supported on a stem 33 by means of a relatively stiff backing plate 34, which may be of metal. 'I'he upper portion 35 of stem 33 is of reduced diameter forming a shoulder 33 for supporting plate 34 and threaded for the reception of a nut 31. Nut 31 serves to clamp plate 34 on shoulder 33, a large diameter washer 33 of metal or other stiff material being interposed between the nut 31 and the neoprene closure member 32.

Stem 33 has axially spaced hexagonal portions, 39 and 40, of larger size immediately below the threaded end portion 35 and defining a groove 4I for the reception of an operating arm or lever 42. The lower end of body I0 is closed by a member 43 formed of upper and lower plates 41 and 43, each provided with an opening 43 and 53 to accommodate stem 33. 'Ihe upper plate 41 has a circular upset portion or hollow boss 5I for the reception of packing 52. This packing may be felt or other suitable material. Ihis boss 5I also serves to space openings 49, 50 apart so as to better serve as a guide for stem 33. The arrangement is such that the valve closure structure 3l `immediately above boss 31.

is guided axially with respect to seat 35 by stem 33 and may be moved toward or away from seat 33 by lever 42.

Body I0 is divided into an inlet chamber 55 and an outlet chamber 53 by that portion 51 of the body carrying valve seats I2 and 33. This portion 51 as shown most clearly in Fig. 3, is of general cylindrical structure. Fuel is admitted to inlet chamber 55 by conduit 5 which is secured in body i0 by conventional pipe threads. Fuel is conducted from outlet chamber 53 by means of conduit 2. As shown, body I0 is provided with an exteriorly threaded extension 53, to which conduit 2 is secured by a pipe coupling 53. Ob

viously, if valve closure 3l is seated communication between chambers 55 and 53 is stopped. If closure v3| is unseated, communication between these chambers may be controlled by rotating plug I I from the position shown to that in which v ports I3 and I4 are in communication, or vice versa.

The mechanism for unseating closure 3l will now be described. Slidably supported inbody portion 51 for movement parallel with the axis of plug Il is a push rod 32, the lower portion oi. which extends through an opening 33 in lever 42 (Figs. 1 and 8). The lower end of rod 32 is provided with a thin nut or other means forming a shoulder 34 thereon, a compression spring 35 being confined betweenthis shoulder and the under side of lever 42. A circular depression 33 is formed in the lever to accommodate and guide spring 35. This depression 63 is formed by pressing the material of lever 42 upwardly to form boss 31. Above lever 42, rod 32 is provided with an enlarged portion 33, forming a shoulder 33 The upper end 10 of enlarged portion 33 is coned, cooperating with a counterbored portion 1I of the bore 12 carrying push rod 32, to form a seal when the rod 32 is in its upper or normal position. This serves to nrevent escape of fuel from chamber 55 along rod 32. Encircling the upper portion of rod 32 is a compression spring 15, accommodated in a counterbore 13 of bore 12. This spring is confined between a shoulder 11 formed on rod 32 as by a washer 13 and the bottom of counterbore 13. A packing washer 13 oi' suitable'material such as felt is interposed between the end of spring 15 and the bottom of counterbore 13 to prevent escape of fuel between rod 32 and its supporting bore 12, when rod 32 is depressed.

As clearly shown in Figs. '1 and 8, lever 42 is provided with a forked end 32, the forks of which enter into groove 4I on stem 33. The opposite end 33 is also forked so as to be accommodated in a groove 84 formed in a threaded plug 35 supported in a wall of body I3. The arrangement is such that depression of rod 32 against the force of spring 15 will cause shoulder4 53 to contact boss 31, swinging lever 42 downwardly about the shoulder 204 of plug 35 as a fulcrum, and moving valve structure 3l downwardly and away from seat 30. l

The position of the fulcrum for lever 42 may be altered to secure proper operation of the valve 3i, by adjusting the threaded plug 35 in the body. After adjustment it is sweated in place, to hold it in adjusted position as well as prevent leakage.

It is desirable to prevent rotation of member 32 with respect to seat 30. In this way, any tendency for the member 32 to wear by friction on the seat 33 is eliminated. For preventing this rotation the forked end 32 of lever 42 has downturned lugs or cheeks 33 (Figs. 7 and 8) arasoaen ranged to engage opposite faces of the hexagonal portion 40 of steml.

Provisions are made for maintaining valve A3| open against the torce of spring 16 as well as against the pressure of the fluid in chamber 80. For this purpose use is made of an electromagnet 90 supported .in a housing 9|. This housing 9| which may be of light sheet metal is secured over the lower end of body I in any convenient manner as by screws 92. A gasket 93 is interposed between the housing 9| and the body I0 to prevent escape of fuel. Housing 9| andgasket 93 cooperate to hold closure member 48 in place on body 0. Housing 9| has a depression 95 for receiving the horizontal portion 98 of the U- shaped core 91 of electromagnet 90. This serves to position the core 91 along the axis of the valve structure. For accurately positioning core 91 transversely of the valve structure, use is made of a light sheet metal stamping 99, or similar member formed in any other desired manner having openings to receive the legs 99 of core 91. Member 98 is secured in position by having out turned lugs |00 engaged under gasket 93. A substantially complete enclosure, separate from the valve passages, is thus secured for the electromagnet core and its coil |25; and stamping 98 closely confines this coil in the space formed in the housing 9 I.

Cooperating with electromagnet 90 is an armature |03 of disc form, carried by the lower end of stem 33. Stem 33 has a short neck |04 of reduced diameter at its lower end. Armature |03 has a countersunk hole for the reception of neck |04.v This neck is riveted over as indicated at |08, to loosely hold armature |03 on stem 33. Armature |03 is thus free to rock on stem 33, and accordingly is free to accurately accommodate itself to the faces of poles 99, without the need of careful alinement of magnet core 91 with respect to the axis of stem 33. This is an important feature since it enables a minute magnetic force exerted by magnet 90 to retain valve closure 3| in open position, when the closure has once been moved downwardly so as to bring armature |03 into contact with magnet poles 99.

The means for opening the safety valve 4 will now be described. A cap I0 having oppositely extending wings (Figs. 3 and 4) for convenience in operating is rotatably mounted on the upper end of body I0.` The cap is radially as well as axially supported on the exterior of cylindrical boss 9 as by a ball bearing arranged in a conventional manner and including balls |2, inner race ||3 on boss 9 and outer race ||4 in a skirt-like portion ||5. This skirt ||5 has an arcuate space ||8 (Figs. 4 and 5), formed thereinterminating in an inclined or cam surface ||1. Supported on stem 82 within bore 16 is a ball H8, the parts being so proportioned that in normal position, with the stem or rod 62 in its uppermost position, ball ||8 extends a substantial distance into space ||6, but clears the top surface ||9 of this space by a suitable distance. Thus, a movement of cap ||0 in the direction of arrow |20 (Figs. 4 and 5) will cause cam surface |1 to contact ball ||8 and force it downwardly, within bore 18. The bore serves to prevent the ball moving laterally. This downward movement of ball ||0 forces push rod 62 downwardly against the pressure of spring and causes shoulder 89 to engage boss 61 on lever 42, swinging lever 42 downwardly about a point on the surfaces forming groove 04 in plug 85, and lowering valve 3| from seat 30. Means to prevent cap ||0 from turning structure.

The parts are so proportioned that movement of cap ||0 in the direction of arrow |20 to the limit provided, will urge the valve structure downwardly a suillcient distance to bring armature |03 into contact with the faces of poles 99 of magnet 90. If magnet 90 is energized, upon release of cap ||0, rod 82 will be moved upwardly by spring 15 as just described, but valve 3| will be retained in its lower position by magnet 90; spring 65 is thereby compressed and has insufficient strength to overcome the magnetic force of magnet 90 upon armature |03. All parts will then be as shown in Fig. 2. If, however, magnet 9 0 is not energized, valve 3| will move upwardly to closed position along with rod 62 by virtue of the force of spring 15. Similarly if at any subsequent time magnet 90 is deenergized, valve 3| will immediately be closed by spring 65.

Electro-magnet 90 is arranged to be energized by electric current generated by a thermocouple generator |26 (Fig. l) supported by the aid of a pilot burner structure |21 so as to be heated by the flame |28 thereof.

The pilot burner |21 may be supplied with fuel as through a pipe |29, connected to a port |30 leading into the valve body I0 just above seat 30 (see Figs. .2 and 4). Accordingly when the automatic shut-oil valve 3| is closed or seated the passage of fuel to pilot burner |21 is interrupted. The arrangement is such that when pilot flame |20 is extinguished, electromagnet 90 v releases armature |03, and spring 65 assisted by the flow of the fuel past seat 30 moves valve 3| to seat 30, stopping the now of fuel between inlet and outlet chambers and 56.

It is essential that` the passage of fuel to the main burner be prevented during the operation of lighting the pilot burner. Accordingly the valve structure is arranged so that the main cock 3 must be in closed position before the automatic shut oil valve 4 can be opened or reset. For this purpose, cap ||0 is arranged to operate plug of cock 3 through a lost motion connection, and it is during the lost motion that the safety valve is operated. This is accomplished by the mechanism now to be described.

Rotation of cap I0 is caused to exert a turning force upon plug by operation upon the arms 28 and 21 attached to the plug. Thus, referring to Figs. l and 3, the outer ends of arms 26 and 21 are accommodated in arcuate slots |3| and |32 formed in cap ||0. With the parts as shown port |3 of plug is at 90 from port |4 and further movement of plug in a counter clockwise direction is prevented by the engagement of arms 26 and 21 with stops 24 and 2-5 respectively. How ever, further movement in a counterclockwlse direction o f cap ||0 is possible due to slots |3| and |32, this movement being restricted to an amount necessary to depress rod 62 so as to bring valve 3| downward until armature |03 engages magnet 90. This movement is not sufficient to permit ball I8 to be forced entirely out of cap ||0. Cap ||0 I may be turned freely 7 in a clockwise direction until the ends of slots I3| and |32 engage arms 23 and 21 respectively., when further movement of the cap will rotate plug This rotation of plug is limited by arms 26; 21 and stops 24 and 25 to 90 which alines ports I3 and I4.

Figure 9 diagrammatically illustrates the steps incident to resetting the automatic shut-on valve 4 and opening the main cock 3. The several radial lines of this ligure correspond to various positions of the plane passing through the axis and wings III of cap ||0. The cap ||0 is iirst'moved counterclockwise as far as possible, which opens the safety valve 4 and corresponds in position to line |35. 'Ihis provides fuel for the pilot burner |21 which is lighted, passage of fuel to the main burner being still interrupted by plug I1. After a brief interval to allow the thermocouple |23 to become active, cap 0 is turned clockwise. As it reaches the position indicated by broken line |36, the stem 62 is released and moves to the position of Fig. 2. If magnet 30 is energized, the safety valve stays open, as shown. If, however, the magnet 90 is not energized for any reason, such as failure to light the pilot burner, valve 4 will at once close. Continued movement of cap ||0 in a clockwise direction will rst cause the lost motion between arms 26, 21 and slots |3|, |32 to be taken up, as indicated by radial line |31. After this motion is taken up. plug I I of the main cock 3 will be turned, bringing ports I3 and |4 into communication at about line |38 and into full register at line |33. Obviously, if pilot burner |21 is lighted the main burner will now be lighted. But if the pilot burner |21 is not lighted or becomes extinguished, the automatic valve 4 'remains closed or closes and takes control of the main burner away from cock 3. It will also be obvious that opening or resetting of valve 4 is only possible while the main cock 3 is closed. It is thus possible to light the pilot in perfect safety.

'I'he main burner can be controlled as desired by cock 3 as long as the pilot is burning. Thus, as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 10, with the plug valve fully open, cap I I0 is turned counterclockwise, taking up the lost motion between arms 26, 21 and slots |3I, |32 as indicated by line |4|, and turning plug to bring ports I3 and I4 out of communication as indicated by line |42 and fully closing the plug valve when line |43 is reached. This position corresponds with that of line |36 of Fig. 9 and the plug valve or cocka may be turned from the opened position of line |42 to closed position of line |42, or vice versa as desired.

If the pilot ame |28 becomes extinguished, and it is desired to reset the automatic shut-off valve 4, the plug valve is turned counterclockwise through the closed position indicated by line |43 (Fig. l0) to a position indicated by line |44. This corresponds to position |35 of Fig. 9 in which the automatic shut-off valve is opened as described in connection with that figure.

Due to the fact that armature |03 is mechanically moved into contact with poles 99 of magnet 00, it is possible to control the automatic valve 3| with very small electrical power such as one or two milliwatts. This required low power permits the use of a very simple thermocouple |26.

Referring to Fig. 1. it will be seen that the thermocouple structure |26 employs a single hot junction and that the thermocouple elements |50, |5| are joined as by being fused together at their upper ends |52 to form this hot junction. The elements |50 and |5I, as well as the fused junction |52 are enclosed in anetal jacket or sheath |53, of suitable material such as stainless steel'. Jacket |53 is secured in one end 1of a tube |54, which may be of copper, for housing the conductors 'to be laterV described. I'he other end of tube |54 is joined to the magnet housing 9| in a gas tight manner, as by being inserted in a boss |55 on housing 9|. In this manner, any gas or fuel which may leak past stem 33 into housing 9| is prevented from escaping, since tube |54 and Jacket |53 are gas tight.

'Iube |54 is supported by the base |56 of pilot burner |21, which base may be in'turn supported by the main burner (not shown) in accordance with usual practice. Thus, base |56 has an aperture |51 through which tube |54 extends, snugly fitting therein. The lower portion of aperture |51 is threaded for the reception of a threaded sleeve |56, closely fitting over tube |54. A collar |60 of deformable material tapering from thecenter toward each end is disposed in the space between sleeve |58 and the end of aperture |51. The end of the aperture |51 as well as of the aperture in sleeve |56 is slightly countersunk to receive the adjacent end of collar |60. As the sleeve |58 is screwed in against collar |60, the ends of the collar are Vcompressed inwardly against tube |54, securely holding it in place.

Conductors |5| and |50 are formed of dissimilar metals or alloys capable of withstanding the temperature to which they will be subjected. Such alloys, for example, are Chromel and Copel respectively. Since Copel is relatively inexpensive, and to simplify the construction of the thermocouple, one of the conductors as for example element |50 is formed of a continuous piece of 4Copel wire of a suitable gage and appropriately insulated, as by a very thin coating of enamel. This Copel wire 50 extends from junction |52 into housing 9|, where it is joined to one lead of coil |25 of electromagnet 90. Since Copel has a resistance not so great as that of Chromel, there is no intolerable power loss through this conductor. The conductors |50 and |5| may be quite tightly engaged in sheath I 53. The bare conductors I5| and |6| are thereby grounded to the' sheath', but this of course is not effective to cause short circuiting, in view of the thin layer of insulation on the other conductor |50. 'Ihe other conductor |5| is formed of Chromel, and is re1- atively short, being joined to a copper conductor |6| as by fusion or welding at junction |62. The Chromel conductor |5| has a thermoelectric characteristic quite similar to that of the copper lead |6|. This lead |6| extends through tube 54 and is Joined to the other terminal of coil |25. Since the conductor |50 is insulated for its entire length, the conductor |5I, its associated lead |6| and the cold junction |62 can be left Without insulation.

Due to the small mass of the conductors forming the thermocouple structure, there is little delay, after the pilot ame |23 is extinguished, in equalizing the temperatures, and the generation of power stopped, resulting in a rapid closure of the safety valve. y

Furthermore, the temperature differential from the hot junction |52 to the cold junction formed at the end of the conductor |50 Where it joins the electromagnet is quite large, and there is a consequent improvement in the amount of power generated.

The thermocouple structure illustrated herein is described and claimed in an application Serial No. 503,791, led September 25, 1943, in the name v l l l 'rod |9| with valve |86; Ipthis case, however, push rod |9| is heldin its lower position when valve |86 is maintained open (as by the previous ly described electromagnetic means 90),' by a pin which connues lever 200 against a shoulder 202 ongrod |9|, suitable clearance being provided. A compression spring 203 is confined b'etween shoulder 40 on valve stem 33 and boss 6| on closure member 46, to'assist in urging valve- |38 units each heated by a burner |16, having a pilot burner |11, serving to heat a controlling thermocouple |18. It is to be understood that the furnace |18 is used for heating a single space, such as a large auditorium, and is controlled as a unit in any preferred manner, as for example by a thermostat shown diagrammatically at |19, or by a. time or manual switch. A source of current, such as a. step down transformer is indicated at |80, by means of which switch |19 operates an electromagnetically actuated master valve |8|. Valve |81 controls the passage of fuel from a suitable source (not shown) through a conduit |82 having branches |83 leading respectively to each of burners |16. Each branch |83 has a reset valve |84 interposed therein, including a main cock |85 (Fig. 12) and an automatic shut-off |88 which operates to control the passage of fuel to the associated burner in exactly the same manner as cock 3 and shut-off valve 4 of valve structure l, in the first described form of the inven-f tion. The valves |84 enable one or more units of the furnace |15 to be rendered inactive, thus improving the adaptability and flexibility of the system to different operating conditions.

It is obviously essential that the pilot lights 11 be supplied with fuel even when the master valve |8| has been closed by switch |19. Accordingly, the supply of fuel for the pilot burners is taken out from pipe |82 at some point between valve |8| and the source of supply, as via connections |91, |98. Thus the fuel for each pilot |11 is supplied independently of the supply of fuel inbranch pipes |83; and arrangements are made whereby the fuel supply to each of the pilots |11 is controllable independently of the other pilots.

For this reason, the reset valves |84 each have supplemental valve means generally indicated by |81 (Fig. 11) for controlling the fuel supply for the associated pilot burner |11, port |30 and the connection |29 therefrom being omitted.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, valve |84 has a body |90 similar to body |0 of the first form of valve described, within which the plug cock |85 is arranged to be rotated by the winged cap H0, all as before. Push rod or stem |9| is actu` ated to unseat the automatic shut-off valve |86 by the cam surface ||1 in the cap. In this form, the push rod |9| additionally functions as a valve control for the pilot |11. Thus bore |92 in which the rod |9| slides is intersected by 'alined ports |93 and |94, one of which, for example.|94 is connected to the associated pilot burner |11 by a conduit |95. The other port, |93, is connected to the fuel supply line |82 by conduit |86, |91. Push rod |9| is encircled by an annular groove |98 which is adapted to establish communication between ports |93-and |94 only when the push rod |9| is depressed to unseat valve |88. For this reason it is necessary that rod |9| be maintained in its lower position as long as valve |88 is open. Thus an operating lever 200 similar to lever 42 is provided for operatively connectingv subject however to the master valve |8I.

pilot flame is extinguished, the automatic valve to its seat 30 when released by magnet 90.

When valve |86 is to be reset, valve |81 is opened through the channel |98, and allows fuel to pass to pilot burner |11, which' when lighted energizes thermocouple |16 and holds the automatic valve |86 as well as valve |81 open. Cock |86.maythenbe utilized to control burner |16. If the |86 as well as valve |61 both close; thus no fuel can pass tovthat unit of the furnace |10 under consideration, nor to its pilot. This is particularly important in using a fuel which is heavier than air, for `example butane, since if such fuel is allowed to escape through the extinguished pilot burner, it gathers-in the low areas in and about the furnace, and forms a, dangerous explosive mixture. v

What is claimed is:

1. In a fuel valve structure, a rotary plug, a valve body forming a seat in which said plug is accommodated, said plug being operable to control the passage of fuel by way of the plug, said plug having for that purpose a passageway opening in one end of the plug, said body adjacent the end of said passageway having means forming a safety valve seat, a .safety valve closure adapted to cooperate with said safety valve seat and movable toward and away from the seat, a lever capable of being'actuated to move said safety valve closure, means for retaining said closure in open position, means for operating the rotary plug, and means whereby said operating means may be moved while the rotary plug remains in closed position, for actuating the lever to open the safety valve.

2. In a fuel valve structure, a 'rotary plug, a valve body forming a seat in which said plug is accommodated, said plug being operable to control the passage of fuel by way of the plug, said plug having for that purpose a passageway opening in one end of the plus'. said body adjacent the end of said passageway having means forming a safety valve seat, a safety valve closure adapted to cooperate withsaid safety valve seat and movable toward and away from the seat, a lever capable of being actuated to move said safety valve closure, means for retaining said closure in open position, a -rotary actuator for the plug and coaxial therewith, said actuator having a lost motion connection with the plug, and means operable during the lost motion, for actuating the lever to open the safety valve.

3. In a fuel valve structure, a, rotary plug, a valve body forming a seat in which said plug is accommodated, said plug being operable to control the passage of fuel by way of the plug, said plug having for that purposea passageway opening in one end of the plug, said body adjacent the end of said passageway having means forming a safety valve seat, a safety valve closure adapted to cooperate with said safety valve seat and movable toward and away from the seat, a lever capable of being actuated to move said safety valve closure, means for retaining said closure in open position,l a rotary actuator for the'plug and coaxial therewith, said actuator having a lost-motion connection with the plug, and means operable during the lost motion, for actuating the lever to open the safety valve, comprising a cam carried by the actuator, and a push rod operating on the lever and adapted to be moved by the cam.

4. In a fuel valve structure, a rotary plug, ay

\ said safety valve seat and movable toward and away from the seat, and a common rotary means for causing operation of the plug and the safety valve closure by angular movement of said common means about the axis of the plug.

5. In a fuel valve structure, a rotary plug, a valve vbody forming a seat in which said plug is accommodated, said plug being operable to control the passage of fuel by way of the plug, said plug having for that purpose a passageway opening in one end of the plug, said body adjacent the end of said passageway having means forming a safety valve seat, a safety valve closure adapted to cooperate with said safety valve seat and movable toward and away from the seat, said closure including a non-circular stern, and means for moving said safety valve closure, said means engaging said stem to restrain said closure against rotation.

6. In a fuel valve structure for controlling the flow of fuel to a main burner and a pilot burner, means forming a safety valve seat, a movable closure for the seat, means including an axially movable rod for operating said closure, and a guide for the rod, said guide and rod being arranged to provide alined passages only when the closure is moved oil' its seat, to form a valve for the supply of fuel to the pilot burner. l

7. In a reset valve, a tapered rotary plug having a radial port as well as an axial port in communication therewith, said axial port having an opening at one end of the plug, a body having a bore forming a tapered seat for the plug and having a port adapted to cooperate with said radial port, said bore extending beyond the plug,

an annular seat surrounding the end of the bore adjacent the open end of the plug, a valve member cooperating with said seat, means for rotating the plug, and means operated by rotary movement of the means for rotating the plug, for unseating the valve member.

8. In a reset valve, a tapered rotary plug having a radial port as well as an axial port in communication therewith, said axial port having an opening at one end of the plug, a body having a bore forming a tapered seat for the plug and having a port adapted to cooperate with said radial port, said bore extending beyond the plug, an annular seat surrounding the end of the bore adjacent the open end of the plug, a valve mem ber cooperating with said seat, means for rotating the plug to cause said radial port to cooperate with the port in said seat or to interrupt communicationk between the last mentioned ports, and means actuated by the means for rotating the plug for unseating the valve member when the said -communication is interrupted. y

9. In reset valve. a plug cock, a valve for controlling the passage of fluid through the plug cock, and a rotatable cap, said cock, valve, and cap being arranged in coaxial relationship, means including a lost motion connection whereby rotation of the capV serves to rotate the plug from open to closed position, and means whereby rotation of the cap after closing the plug cock unseats the valve.

10. In a reset valve, a main cock, and a valve for controlling the passage of fluid through the main cock, means for opening and closing said cock, means for opening the valve, comprising a pivotally supported lever and a push rod, means to depress the push rod, a shoulder on the push rod adapted to engage said lever and move it about its support when the rod is depressed to unseat the valve, means to return the push rod to its initial position, and means energized by the return of the push rod to its said initial position for seating the valve when the valveis released.

11. In a reset valve, a main valve, and an automatic shut-oil. valve for controlling the passage of fluid through the main valve, said valves having a common axis, a housing for supporting and enclosing said valve's, a cap rotatably supported on the housing coaxially with the valves, said main valve having a closure member arranged for operation by rotation of said cap, means forming a lost motion connection between said cap and said closure member, a push rod arranged to open said shut-off valve upon movement in an axial direction, said push rod being spaced from said axis, means including a cam surface on said cap whereby rotation of the cap causes said rod to move in an axial direction, and means forming an operating connection between the push rod and the shut-oil valve.

12. I n a fuel supply system having a main fuel valve, as well as arr' automatic shut-oil valve, for controlling the passage of fuel to a burner, the shut-oil valve when closed preventing the passage of fuel through the main valve. said shutoil valve having a mechanical reset for temporarily opening the shut-olf valve, a housing for supporting and enclosing said valves, said main valve having a closure member movable through apdistance for opening and closing the main valve, means for moving said closure between its open and closed positions, and mechanism operated by said means at the end of the closing movement of the closure for opening the shut-off valve, comprising a lever pivotally supported in said housing, a push rod adapted to operate said lever, and a cam surface carried by said means 'for operating the push rod.

WILLIAM A. RAY. 

